Slide seat



N. E. HUNTER Oct, 28, 1952 SLIDE SEAT Filed Aug. 10. 1949 N0 va E. Hunter IN V EN TOR.

Patented Oct. 28,1952

uNlTEosTATEs PATENT orrlcu Nova E. Hunter, Frazeysburg, Ohio Application August 10, 1949, Serial No. 109,534

7 11' Claims.

1 This invention relates to sliding seats for automotive vehicles, and in particular to a combined seat and mail receptacle for rural mail carriers. An object of this invention is to provide an easily installed sliding seat for a mail carrier so 'thathe may easily move from side to side in his sliding-seat; and to rovide a change receptacle within ready reach of the carrier.

These, together with various ancillary of the invention which will later become apparent as the following description proceeds are attained :-'by this device, the preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated by way of example only in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 2 is a top plan view of the device;

Figure 3 is a vertical cross sectional view, parts being broken away to show other parts in section, taken along line 33 as in Figure l; and

Figure 4 is a similar vertical cross sectionalv view of this embodiment of the invention but is taken along line 44 as in Figure 1.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, attention is directed first to Figure 1 wherein the principles of the present invention is most clearly shown. Reference numeral I!) generally denotes the slide seat assembly which comprises the present invention. Upon bottom cushion l2 and back cushion I4 is positioned a base plate l6 having a substantially horizontal portion l8 and an upright portion 28. The base plate I 6 is shaped to fit the contours of the cushions of the vehicle seat and is secured to the back cushion M by means of suitable straps 22 which buckle in the rear of back cushion i4.

Upon the upper surface of the horizontal portion [8 of the base plate are secured by means of screws 22, or the like, a pair of substantially T -shaped guides 24. A air of substantially U- shaped stops 26 are adjustably secured on each of the guides 24 by threaded bolts 28 for a purobjects r 2 pose to be henceforth explained. Attached to the upright portion la of the base plate is a felt covered, sponge rubber back rest 30.

A combined seat and mail receptacle is Slideably mounted on the guides 24 by bronze bearings 32. The bearings 32 are substantially'ushaped and two' pairs of these bearings are welded or otherwise suitably secured to the underside of seat 34. The seat has its upper surface form fitted to seat the carrier in comfort and has an upward extending flange 36. Riveted to the flange 36 is a receptacle generally designated by reference numeral 38 which is supported by a bearing 32 slidably mounted on each cfthe guides 24. The container has its upper front corner cut at a 45 degree angle to provide easy access by the postman. The outer wall of the receptacle 38 is composed of two parallel plates which form a pigeon hole 40 for use in carrying supplies such as stamps, receipt'books, cards, etc. The plates are joined by atop plate 42 which forms a suitable arm rest for the postman while driving. A hinged wire weight for holding in place letters and parcels is provided for use in the main container portion of the receptacle.

A change tray 46 is formed integral with the base portion of the receptacle and is adapted to separate coins from pennies to fifty cent pieces. Furthermore space is provided for pens and pencils within the confines of the tray 46. Preferably the base plate, seat, and receptacle are formed from sheet aluminum for lightness, attractiveness, and easy maintenance.

To operate the seat, the mail carrier need but use his feet to push the seat from one side to another while his hands remain free for other purposes. The bearings 32 will abut against the adjustable stops 26 on the guides to limit the movement of the seat. These stops can be so positioned as to allow no movement of the combined seat and container whatsoever, or may be alternatively placed so as to allow motion from one side to the other. Thus it can be easily understood that the carrier has within easy access at all times his mail and other equipment which will yield safer mail handling; in addition, while the otherwise constant shifting of position of the postman on a conventional automobile seat will wear out both the vehicles upholstery and the postmans clothes the present invention avoids and ends such unnecessary wear.

Since from the foregoing the construction and advantages of the device may be readily understood, further explanation is believed to be unnecessary.

However, since numerous modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the foregoing specification and accompanying drawings, it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, but all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A slide seat for use in automotive vehicles comprising an L-shaped base plate adapted to fit upon the back and bottom cushions of a vehicle seat, a plurality of guides positioned transverse said base plate and rigidly secured thereto, and

a combined seat and receptacle slidably attached to said guides.

2. A slide seat for use in automotive vehicles comprising an L-shaped base plate adapted to fit upon the back and bottom cushions of a vehicle seat, means on said base plate to secure said base plate .to the back cushion, a pair of guides positioned transverse said base late and rigidly secured thereto, and a combined seat and receptacle slidably attached to said guides.

3. The structure of claim 2 wherein said guides are of T-shaped cross section.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein said combined seat and receptacle is slidably attached to said guides by means of a plurality of bearings.

5. The structure of claim 4 wherein said bearings are of U -shape cross section and are adapted to fit over said T-shaped guides.

6. The structure of claim 5 including a plurality of adjustable U-shaped stops mounted on said guides.

7. The structure of claim 6 includinga-resilient membe attached to said base plate forming a back rest.

3. An auxiliary seat for use upon a conventional vehicle seat, comprising a base adapted to be placed upon said vehicle seat and having a length and breadth corresponding in arrangement to that of the vehicle seat upon which it is adapted to be placed, guide means on said base extending lengthwise thereof, a seat member and coactin portions thereon engaged with said guide means,

9. An auxiliary seat for use upon a conventional vehicle seat, comprising a base adapted to be placed upon said vehicle seat and having a length and breadth corresponding in arrangement to that of the vehicle seat upon which it is adapted to be placed, guide means on said base extending lengthwise thereof, a seat member and coacting portions thereon engaged with said guide means, and means carried by said base for securing the same upon a vehicle seat.

10. An auxiliary seat for use by a delivery man upon a conventional vehicle seat, comprising a base adapted to be placed upon said vehicle seat and having a length and breadth corresponding in arrangement to that of the vehicle seat upon which it is adapted to be placed, guide means on said base extending lengthwise thereof, a seat member and coacting portions thereon engaged with said guide means, and a receptacle for articles to be delivered carried by said member.

11. .An auxiliary seat for use upon a conventional vehicle seat having a seating surface and a backrest, comprising a base having a first portion adapted to overlie the seating surface and a second portion adapted :to overlie the backrest of the vehicle seat, and having a length and breadth corresponding in arrangement to that of the vehicle seat upon which it is adapted to be applied, guide means on said base extending lengthwise thereof, a seat member and coacting portionsthereon engaged with said guide means, said seat member having its rear portion in proximity to the second portion of said base whereby an occu pant of the auxiliary seat when the latter is .on a vehicle seat may control movement of said seat member by engagement of a portion of said body against said second portion.

NOVA E. HUN'IER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,290,517 Copley Jan. 7, 1919 1,976,326 Carlton Oct. 9, 1934 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 13,403 Australia May 21, 1928 21,059 Great Britain Oct. 17, 1905 

